July 2016 Update: For the 2017 season, beach passes are required from the third weekend in June to Labor day. Currently, no beach passes are being issued for non-residents on the weekend. More details can be found on the Clinton website.
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Two weeks ago, I told you about our trip to Clinton, Connecticut.
We spent the first part of our day shopping at the Clinton Outlets and then had lunch at Lobster Landing.
Well, after lunch that day, the kids fell asleep in the car and my husband and I decided to take the opportunity see what else Clinton had to offer. So we started to drive around town.
One of the locations I definitely wanted to visit during our drive was the Clinton Town Beach. It wasn’t really a beach day and I assumed it wouldn’t be open yet, but I was trying to do some pre-summer beach destination scouting.
After a few wrong turns, we finally found the beach. Then, much to my delight, we also found this . . .
I find it funny that these days something like seeing a playground makes me happy, but that is my reality.
Let me back track a little bit and tell you what this is and how we found it.
I was directing my husband on how to get to the Clinton Town Beach. It is located at the end of Waterside Lane. We turned off E Main Street onto Waterside and followed it to the end, then it curved around the corner and we were faced with a rather old looking, single lane bridge. We weren’t sure if this was the destination, but we headed over the bridge anyways (sometimes I can be adventurous).
Here is a little map showing the destination.
On the other side of the bridge there is a booth where, when the beach opens for the season, you would show your pass or pay for daily access. Local residents can purchase a season pass and others can pay the daily rate. The beach opens for the 2012 season on June 23rd and the lifeguards will begin on July 1st. Until then, there is no fee to access the beach or playground area. (For more information on the beach schedule and seasonal rates, see the Momsense section below).
Until then, though, there is no fee to enter the beach/playground area.
We easily found parking in the parking lot on this particular day, but I am assuming that in the summer, this place can get very crowded.
The kids were still napping in the car, so I got out to snap a few pictures while my husband waited in the car with them.
According to the Town of Clinton’s website, the playground and another building on the property are brand new.
The playground is fairly large, has several structures, and the best feature is, it is right on the beach!
It has a toddler-sized play structure.
And a structure for the bigger kids.
It has regular swings, baby swings, and swings for kids of all abilities. (Oh yeah, note that I woke up the kids. I knew I would pay for this move later, but the playground was too nice for them not to get a chance to play).
Bruiser tried out the large slide. See, he is happy to be awake.
Sparkles tried out one of the smaller slides.
And they both played on the bouncy thing-a-ma-jig (technical term).
There was fencing on three sides of the playground and the fourth side was open to the beach area.
Speaking of the beach, after the kids were done with playing, that is exactly where they headed.
Now this isn’t really meant to be a beach post, because nothing was open and we weren’t having a beach day, but I can give you some insight on the amenities at this facility.
The beach is small, but the small size, calm waters, and playground would make it a great beach for younger kids. According to this website, the beach really exists only during high tide. During low tide the site states that you can walk out to the sand bars in Clinton Harbor. I think I will have to go for a visit during the season to get a good understanding of that experience.
The beach has several amenities including: Restrooms, Playground, Concession stand, Outside showers, Volleyball courts, Pavilions, Grills and parking. The restrooms and concession stand are brand new and were just completed last year.
When the new restrooms are not open, there is a port-a-potty on site.
There is a sweet swing that sits right on the beach which we enjoyed using.
On the other side of the new concession/restroom building is a picnic area.
On the other side of the playground area there is a picnic pavilion as well.
So that’s the tour! I just wanted to check out the beach scene at Clinton Town Beach and not only did I find a cute little beach facility, I also found an amazing playground with water views. Perfect!
Have you been to Clinton Town Beach? I would love to hear some scoop on what it is like during the summer. Let us know by leaving a comment below.
THE MOMSENSE:
Playground at Clinton Town Beach
Waterside Lane, Clinton, CT
Get directions here (to Waterside Lane Road):
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Playground Features:
- Fenced-in on three sides, fourth side opens to the beach
- Two playscapes with slides, ladders, poles, rock-climbing wall, monkey bars, and more.
- Smaller playscape is perfect for toddlers
- Sandbox (well, it is built on a giant sandbox, the beach!)
- Baby swing, regular swings, and swings for all ability levels
- Benches and picnic tables
- Pavillion provides shaded areas
- Sand/rubber surface
- Porta-potty (no changing station)
- Adjacent parking lot
- During the off-season, this playground area is FREE to access. During the season, you would have to pay the beach access fee for use (see below).
Beach Information:
- For 2012, the beach opens for the season on June 23rd and remains open through Labor Day. The lifeguards will be on duty beginning July 1st.
- Once the beach opens, there is a fee for beach/playground access. The 2012 rates are as follows: Beach passes can be purchased from the Gate Keeper between the hours of 9 am to 3 pm daily (weather permitting). Beach Pass Fees: Clinton Residents: $20 per vehicle, Clinton Senior Citizens: $10 per vehicle, Non-residents: $25 per visit (no pass issued).
- Get the latest information on schedules and rates on the Town of Clinton Parks and Recreation website.
- Beach facilities include: Restrooms, Playground, Concession stand, Outside showers, Volleyball courts, Pavilions, Grills and parking.
Coming Up: Tomorrow is Wordless Wednesday and Shawna will be sharing her latest picture (or pictures). Also, on Thursday Shawna will introduce you to another playground that she describes as “awesome”.
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i’ve been here once in the summer and it’s a really great place. very packed though. when i was there it was full of teens as well. we took a nice walk around the dunes and it is definitely worthwhile to go back.
Jessie – thanks for the info!
Great write up! We recently found this beach when trying to find a good spot for a sunset photo. And it is. Tough to find a setting sun on the east coast but this isn’t bad, sunsets over the marina.